Video File Size Calculator
Estimate how much storage a video will use before you record. Compare H.264 vs HEVC to see how much space you can save.
Recording Settings
Estimated File Size
File Size Over Duration — H.264 vs HEVC
Estimates based on typical iPhone recording settings. Actual file sizes may vary depending on scene complexity and device model.
What Determines Video File Size?
Three main factors control how large your video files will be
Resolution
4K has 4x more pixels than 1080p. More pixels means more data per frame and larger files.
Frame Rate
60fps captures twice as many frames as 30fps. Double the frames roughly doubles the file size.
Codec
HEVC (H.265) is ~50% smaller than H.264 at the same quality. Modern iPhones use HEVC by default.
iPhone Video Size Reference
Common recording settings and their storage requirements
| Setting | Per Minute | 10 Minutes | 1 Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p @ 30fps | 40 MB | 400 MB | 2.4 GB |
| 1080p @ 30fps | 60 MB | 600 MB | 3.6 GB |
| 1080p @ 60fps | 90 MB | 900 MB | 5.4 GB |
| 4K @ 24fps | 135 MB | 1.35 GB | 8.1 GB |
| 4K @ 30fps | 170 MB | 1.7 GB | 10.2 GB |
| 4K @ 60fps | 400 MB | 4 GB | 24 GB |
Sizes shown are for H.264 format. HEVC sizes are approximately 50% smaller.
Storage Planning Tips
Keep 20% Buffer
Always plan for 20% more storage than your estimate. Video complexity varies scene to scene, and some clips will be larger than average.
Use HEVC When Possible
HEVC delivers the same visual quality at half the file size. All iPhones since iPhone 7 support HEVC recording and playback.
Match Quality to Purpose
4K is great for cinematic shots, but 1080p at 30fps is perfect for casual videos and social media — at a fraction of the storage cost.
Compress After Recording
Record in the best quality your storage allows, then compress with HEVCut to reclaim space without losing visible quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow accurate is this video size calculator?
These estimates are based on typical iPhone recording bitrates. Actual file sizes vary by ±15% depending on scene complexity — static scenes compress better than fast action.
QWhy is 4K 60fps so much larger than 4K 30fps?
60fps captures twice as many frames per second. Combined with 4K resolution, the camera produces massive amounts of data. A 10-minute 4K 60fps clip can easily exceed 4GB.
QWhat's the difference between H.264 and HEVC?
HEVC (H.265) is a newer compression standard that produces files about 50% smaller than H.264 with no visible quality loss. iPhones since the iPhone 7 record in HEVC by default.
QHow can I reduce my video file sizes?
You can record at a lower resolution or frame rate, or compress existing videos from H.264 to HEVC using an app like HEVCut. This typically saves 50-70% with no visible quality difference.
QDoes HEVC work on all devices?
HEVC is supported on all iPhones since iPhone 7, all recent Macs, most Android phones from 2018+, and Windows 10/11. Older devices may need a free player like VLC.